Denver, Colorado

Denver is a vibrant, active city at the base of the majestic Rocky Mountains. With 300 annual days of sunshine, The Mile High City is a year-round destination that combines rich Western heritage and passion for the outdoors with urban excitement. Its walkable downtown features chef-owned restaurants, brewpubs, professional sports, shopping, family attractions, arts and culture. Denver is the premier gateway to the best of the Western USA’s national parks including Mesa Verde, one of four national parks in Colorado, as well as Yellowstone in Wyoming and the Canyonlands in Utah.

The City

In the wake of the California Gold Rush, prospectors hoped to strike their own reserve of wealth and riches in the streams of the Rocky Mountains and the South Platte River. Today citizens of Denver have riches worth far more than precious metal. They have a prosperous city inlaid in horizons of prairie fields and the mighty Rockies mountainside.

As a part of America’s pioneering history, Denver is riddled with historical elements. The Colorado Railroad Museum showcases the city’s tenacity in constructing an entirely citizen-built rail system, which connected Denver to the transcontinental railroad. Remnants of the Wild West can be found in areas like the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, allowing visitors to step into the Old Western lifestyle. Other landmarks of esteem include the world’s largest single producer of coins, the Denver Mint.

Laden with parks, trails, gardens, museums, and districts, Denver is a tributary of its citizens. Taking an active interest and pride in their city’s evolution, Denverites even approved a sales tax in 1988 that would go to maintaining Denver’s cultural and scientific facilities—a tax still implemented today. Don’t be fooled, though, for the city knows how to relax and show its citizens and visitors a good time. This is evidenced by Denver being the largest brewer of beer in the country.

Events

Mile High Holidays (November-January)

National Western Stock Show & Rodeo (January)

Denver Restaurant Week (February)

Denver Day of Rock (May)

PrideFest (June)

Cherry Creek Arts Festival (July)

Denver 4th of July Weekend

Denver Labor Day Weekend (September)

Denver Beer Fest (September)

Denver Arts Week (November)

Do & See

As a city crafted among the natural wonders of the Rocky Mountains and High Plains, much of Denver’s appeal resides in exploring its ethereal beauty. It possesses a rich cultural and geographical history, both of which are created via Denver's plethora of museums and natural trails. Denver offers attractions for all ages: the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, with its dinosaur exhibits, Space Odyssey, digital planetarium and IMAX theater; the Denver Performing Arts Complex, home to 10 venues offering theater, opera, symphony, ballet and Broadway touring shows; History Colorado Center, telling the stories of the past through people and places; Denver Botanic Gardens, a lush oasis in the middle of the city; the Denver Art Museum, with its acclaimed American Indian and Western art collections; and the Clyfford Still Museum, showcasing the work of this American abstract expressionist.

Learn more at: www.visittheusa.com/destination/denver

Mount Evans

Denver Zoo

Ute Indian Museum

Cherry Creek Bike Trail

Lower Downtown Denver

Denver Botanic Gardens

Children’s Museum of Denver

Invesco Field at Mile High

Molly Brown House Museum

El Pueblo History Museum

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Denver Art Museum

Washington Park

Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey

Clyfford Still Museum

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Colorado State Capitol

Forney Transportation Museum

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

Rocky Mountain Adventures

Dining

The city’s farm-to-table epicenter, Larimer Square buzzes with outdoor dining and a twinkling canopy of lights. Denver Union Station – the city's elegant transit hub – is a foodie destination as well. The historic building houses many restaurants and bars, including Mercantile Dining & Provision, a unique restaurant-market combination.

Cafes

One simply cannot find a better setting for enjoying a good cup of coffee than Denver’s many mountainside cafes. Some cafes solely specialize in serving breakfast, so rest assured that breakfast is taken seriously at such establishments. The usuals, such as coffee and tea, are something that you can, of course, expect to find in any single one of them.

Stella's Coffee House

St. Mark's Coffee House

Dozens

Pete's University Park Cafe

Leela’s European Cafe

MUTINY Information Cafe

Huckleberry Roasters

SNOWLAB

The House of Commons

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria

Backstage Coffee

Hooked on Colfax

Carbon Cafe & Bar

Lucile's Creole Cafe

Beet Box

Bars & Nightlife

Denver is a city rife with expectation of having a good time. Its nightlife delivers on the unspoken promise with its South of Colfax nightlife district, as well as the Larimer Square clubs & bars. Denver has an eclectic, even sultry mix of venues for your after-daylight adventures. They brew more beer in the Denver Metropolitan area than in any other city in the USA. The beer culture is relaxed, fun and innovative. Microbreweries take advantage of Colorado’s pure mountain water to produce over 200 different beers every day. From jazz lounges to sports bars, nighttime on the mountainside beckons.

Shopping

The backdrop of stupendous mountain ranges only adds to the well-maintained, well-equipped shopping centers and districts of Denver. Many are incredibly walker- and biker-friendly, making the shopping experience not only a happy one, but a healthy one as well. Try the high-end Cherry Creek Shopping District, with both indoor and outdoor options, and the 16th Street Mall, where you’ll find all of your favorite American brands. If a unique, local shopping experience is your thing, then check out the boutique shops at Larimer Square right in the heart of downtown. You’ll find a range of high-quality and distinctive local designers offering clothing, accessories, jewelry, wine, chocolate, home goods, and salon and spa services.

Essential Information

Passport / Visa

Citizens of the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Kingdom of Brunei can visit the United States for up to 90 days without applying for a visa (as well as citizens of Andorra, Lichtenstein, Monaco and San Marino). Citizens of these countries must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before traveling. All other travelers must obtain a visa before visiting the United States. International travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the country.

Denver International Airport

The primary airport servicing the Denver area is also the second largest airport in the United States.

The airport is 24.4 miles (39.9 kilometers) northeast of downtown Denver with ground transportation available from the level 5 Jeppesen Terminal.

SkyRide a convenient and cheap bus service to and from Denver International Airport (DIA). Catch frequent SkyRide buses throughout the RTD service area at bus stops and at many Park-n-Rides. Buses run every day with 15 minute intervals, tickets may be purchased at RTD counters.

Denver sits conveniently en route to the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, which makes it a must-visit for those making their way there during the winter. There is a multitude of events going on around Christmas time, which is an added incentive.
For city exploration, the summers are best, with warm, yet not uncomfortable hot temperatures.

Public Transport

Coordination of public transportation in Denver is managed by the Regional Transportation District (RTD). Purchase a daily RTD pass if you're planning to use public transport all day. Passes may be bought online at www.rtd-denver.com or various retail outlets: